Rabbits love to chew, and it’s super important for their dental health and mental stimulation. Dental health problems are commonly associated with a poor diet, specifically a lack of fibre (and overreliance on cereals).
At HayDay, we’re here to help you keep your rabbit happy and healthy, and in this case, your rabbit's teeth - as naturally coarse stems (grass/hay) help assist with the maintenance of healthy dental function.
Our high fibre and long-stem hay is one of the best foods to feed your rabbit to support their dental health! But this guide includes other safe chews like twigs and branches, and tells you what to avoid to prevent injury.
Why Do Rabbits Need to Chew?
Rabbits' teeth grow really fast - up to 5 inches a year - chewing prevents dental overgrowth and also keeps them from getting bored or stressed.
The teeth of rabbits are what’s known as hypsodont - which means they erupt continuously throughout their life. This trait essentially relies on abrasion from chewing fibrous feeds in order to maintain dental health and comfort.
Rabbits chew to keep their incisors (front teeth) and molars (back teeth) from growing too long, which can cause painful dental disease like malocclusion (when teeth don’t line up right). It’s like how you brush your teeth to keep them healthy!
Chewing also provides enrichment, keeping their brains busy so they don’t feel bored or stressed.
Safe Things for Your Bunnies to Chew
HayDay’s Long-Stem Hay
At HayDay, we grow a range of hay types which supports dental health, including:
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Timothy Hay - long stem and naturally coarse stems
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Meadow Hay - long stem with a softer texture which makes a comfy bed too
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Ryegrass Hay - long stem with a sweet taste, making it great as added enrichment
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Oat Hay - a crunchy, nutritious, high fibre forage to support natural feeding instincts
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Alfalfa Hay - a coarse and leafy legume which is best for young and growing pets
Its fibrous texture, in particular timothy hay, helps grind down teeth, preventing overgrown incisors, and supports a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
Feeding hay not only encourages correct chewing action but also supports natural foraging behaviour that keeps them both physically and mentally active. By experimenting with feeding hay in different ways, including within toys or scatter feeding (placing it in different areas for your bunny to find), making it extra exciting.
Safe Twigs and Branches
Some twigs are safe for rabbits, like those from apple, willow, hazel or birch trees.
Applewood is strong and tasty, supporting dental wear, while willow is soft and fun for interactive play.
By providing your rabbit with twigs, it will encourage them to exhibit natural behaviours which they would when foraging in the wild. If you have been foraging twigs and branches in the wild, ensure they’re washed well and free of pesticides or chemicals to prevent toxicity.
Feed hay alongside twigs and branches for extra enrichment, and your rabbit will love feed time - staying healthy and engaged!
Hay-Stuffed Toys
Take our HayDay timothy, meadow or ryegrass hay and place it into cardboard tubes, balls or hay racks for a fun and engaging enrichment toy.
Your rabbit will enjoy nibbling and digging through it, which is great to help maintain healthy gut movement and correct chewing action.
Our hay is high quality, long stem and barn dried making it perfect for your rabbit’s nutritional requirements.
Why Chewing Helps Your Rabbit
Chewing action in rabbits and small pets is super important. Long-stem fibre is essential for promoting dental and gut health. The long stem length helps to encourage more chewing and natural foraging behaviour and help to keep your pet enriched and occupied for longer.
It also keeps your bunny from chewing things they shouldn’t, like your furniture, by providing behavioural enrichment.
Things Your Rabbit Should Never Chew
Electrical Wires
Wires are really dangerous! If your bunny chews them, they could get a bad shock or burn, risking electrocution.
Keep wires high up or covered with protectors, and give your bunny HayDay hay to chew instead to keep them safe.
Toxic Woods
Some woods, like cherry, peach or apricot (stone fruits), cedar or pine, can be toxic and can make your bunny sick, causing gastrointestinal distress or even organ damage.
Stick to safe twigs including apple or willow.
Plastic and Rubber
Plastic bags or rubber toys also aren’t safe. If your rabbit chews and swallows them, they could get intestinal obstructions or dental damage which will likely result in a trip to the vets.
Household Stuff
Things like carpets, furniture, or painted walls can have chemical toxins that can be harmful to your rabbits. Chewing these could cause poisoning or blockages and it’s always best to try and keep these out of reach.
Quick Reference: Safe and Unsafe Chewing Items
|
Item |
Safe/Unsafe |
Notes |
|
HayDay Long-Stem Hay |
Safe |
Types of hay include: timothy, meadow, oat and ryegrass hay. |
|
Cardboard |
Safe |
Plain, no tape or shiny bits to support dental wear. |
|
Applewood Twigs |
Safe |
Clean and pesticide-free helps teeth stay healthy. |
|
Willow Twigs |
Safe |
Soft and safe for nibbling and enrichment. |
|
Electrical Wires |
Unsafe |
Can cause shocks or burns, so best to keep wires out of reach. |
|
Cherry Wood |
Unsafe |
This is toxic and can cause digestive or organ problems. |
|
Plastic Items |
Unsafe |
Can cause blockages if swallowed. |
|
Painted Furniture |
Unsafe |
Has harmful chemicals. |
Tips to Help Your Rabbit Chew Safely
Change up their chew toys to keep things interesting and introduce new enrichment idea to keep your bunnies mentally and physically enriched.
It is always recommended to supervise your rabbits when they are given chews and enrichment toys to make sure they don’t chew anything untoward.
Keep lots of our premium barn-dried hay around for them to munch on (it should comprise 80 to 90% of their diet), supporting their nutritional health. Make their space safe by blocking off dangerous items, so they can chew and play worry-free.
Conclusion
At HayDay, we know chewing is key to keeping your rabbit healthy and happy, and our long-stem hay is the perfect choice for their dental and digestive needs.
Add safe chews like applewood twigs or hay-stuffed enrichment toys and your bunnies will be all set! Just keep dangerous things like wires, toxic woods, and plastic out of reach to prevent health risks.
With HayDay’s hay and a safe living space, your bunny will thrive while happily chewing!
FAQS
Can My Rabbit Chew on Cardboard?
Yes, your rabbit can chew on plain, untreated cardboard, like toilet paper rolls or uncoated boxes, as it’s safe and great for their dental health and mental stimulation. It helps keep them busy!
How often should I give my rabbit new chew toys?
Rabbits need a steady supply of chew toys to keep their teeth healthy and stay engaged. Offer new or rotated chew toys every few days to keep things interesting. Check toys daily for wear and tear, replacing any that are too small or damaged.
Can my rabbit chew on my wooden furniture?
No, your rabbit shouldn’t chew on wooden furniture. Instead, provide safe alternatives like untreated applewood twigs or long-stem hay to satisfy their natural chewing instincts and keep them safe.
What if my rabbit doesn’t like to chew on hay?
Try feeding different types, such as timothy, meadow or oat hay, and mix it within fun toys like hay-stuffed cardboard tubes to make it more exciting. Check with a vet if your bunny loses appetite or refuses to eat hay, as it could be a sign of dental or health issues.
How can I tell if my rabbit’s teeth are healthy from chewing?
Healthy rabbit teeth are short, even, and not cracked. If your bunny chews regularly on hay or other items, their teeth should stay in good shape. Watch for signs of dental problems, such as visibly overgrown incisors; difficulty eating or dropping food from the mouth, weight loss or reduced appetite, smaller, fewer or misshapen droppings or regular eye or nasal discharge. Always visit a vet if you notice these to ensure their dental health is on track.
Relevant Links
Best Types of Hay for Rabbits - HayDay HQ
What Materials Are Safe For Rabbits to Chew - Oxbow Animal Health
